A member of chart-topping K-pop group NewJeans tearfully testified to South Korean lawmakers on Tuesday (Oct 15) as part of an enquiry into workplace harassment, amid a boardroom drama over her super producer.
In recent years, South Korea's K-pop industry has become a global juggernaut powered by the success of groups like BTS, but domestically it is known for imposing strict standards and controls on fledgling stars.
Rising K-pop idols are expected to adhere to their powerful agency's behaviour and appearance guidelinesstarbet777, with many stars describing receiving extreme backlash from fans over perceived mistakes in their personal lives, for example dating.
K-pop girl group NewJeans member Hanni attends an appointment ceremony of the 2024 Korea Tourism Honorary Ambassador at a hotel in Seoul on July 11, 2024. (Photo: Jung Yeon-je / AFP)